Who’s at risk?

Newborns and infants whose mothers never had chickenpox or the vaccine

Adults

Pregnant women who haven’t had chickenpox

People whose immune systems are impaired by medication, such as chemotherapy, or another disease, such as cancer or HIV

People who are taking steroid medications for another disease or condition, such as children with asthma

People taking drugs that suppress their immune systems

Chickenpox and pregnancy

Chickenpox early in pregnancy can result in a variety of problems in a newborn, including low birth weight and birth defects, such as limb abnormalities. A greater threat to a baby occurs when the mother develops chickenpox in the week before birth. Then it can cause a serious, life-threatening infection in a newborn.

If you’re pregnant and not immune to chickenpox, talk to your doctor about the risks to you and your unborn child.

Tests and diagnosis

Doctors generally diagnose chickenpox based on the telltale rash.

If there’s any doubt about the diagnosis, chickenpox can be confirmed with laboratory tests, including blood tests or a culture of lesion samples.

Treatments and drugs

In otherwise healthy children, chickenpox typically requires no medical treatment. Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine to relieve itching. But for the most part, the disease is allowed to run its course.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To help ease the symptoms of an uncomplicated case of chickenpox, follow these self-care measures.

Don’t scratch

Scratching can cause scarring, slow healing and increase the risk that the sores will become infected. If your child can’t stop scratching:

Put gloves on his or her hands, especially at night

Trim his or her fingernails

Relieve the itch and other symptoms

For relief, try:

A cool bath with added baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal — a finely ground oatmeal that is made for soaking.

Calamine lotion dabbed on the spots.

A soft, bland diet if chickenpox sores develop in the mouth.

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Adryl, others) for itching. Check with your doctor to make sure your child can safely take antihistamines.